Model-Based Optimization of Microgel Synthesis in the μm Size Range

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, vol. 59, pp. 20437–20446

Abstract

Microgels are functional polymer colloids with diverse applications, for example, in medicine, engineering, or agriculture. Some applications require large microgels in the size range of μm, which could previously only be synthesized using microfluidics or a synthesis procedure involving a fed-batch reaction with a temperature ramp. We use dynamic optimization to determine a simpler synthesis recipe that allows us to synthesize microgels in the μm range using a batch procedure. First, a sensitivity analysis shows that the microgel size is sensitive to the initial concentration of initiator and the reactor temperature. Second, the dynamic optimization yields a batch recipe that provides microgels of the desired μm size range. The recipe uses a low initial initiator concentration and a low reactor temperature. The respective recipe is validated experimentally; model simulation results and experimental measurements of the hydrodynamic diameter show good agreement.

Authors 5

1. Falco Jung Aachen Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - Process Systems Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Process Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Agnieszka Natalia Ksiazkiewicz Aachen DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e.V., 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Adel Mhamdi Aachen Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - Process Systems Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Process Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Andrij Pich Aachen DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry

   Maastricht University · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands

   DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e.V., 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   JARA-SOFT, 52056 Aachen, Germany

5. Alexander Mitsos corresponding Aachen Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - Process Systems Engineering

   Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Process Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   JARA-SOFT, 52056 Aachen, Germany